Top 10 Cruise Necessities: What To Pack For Your First Cruise

Embarking on a cruise adventure requires more than just a ticket and a sense of wanderlust; it demands careful preparation to ensure every moment is enjoyed to the fullest. In this blog post, we share our top ten cruise essentials—items we never set sail without. Each product has been personally tested and comes highly recommended for enhancing your cruising experience. From organizational aids to tech gadgets, and health-focused solutions to convenience tools, these essentials promise to elevate your cruise from good to unforgettable. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or embarking on your maiden voyage, these tried-and-true items are guaranteed to make your journey smoother, more enjoyable, and hassle-free.

Packing cubes, often underrated, transform travel organization. Assign a cube and color for each clothing type and person, allowing quick access and more efficient packing in your suitcase. Their zippered design facilitates easy unpacking and repacking, eliminating haphazard packing methods.


The Road Runner Carry-On with Laptop Pocket 20'' has a dedicated laptop pocket, a major advantage for tech-savvy travelers who typically carry an extra backpack for their laptop. This compact case removes the necessity for an additional bag, making it perfect for quick weekend or longer cruise getaways.

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A GoPro camera is essential for first-time cruisers, offering a compact and durable way to capture unforgettable moments. Its wide-angle lens and easy-to-use features ensure stunning panoramic and vibrant underwater shots, letting you relive your cruise adventures through high-quality videos and photos.


The number of electrical plugs in your stateroom varies, however, there is always a mix of North American and European plugs. Between charging phones, cameras, iPads, battery packs, and laptops, make the most of the electrical power available in your stateroom to maximize the fun on your vacation!


Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or just getting your sea legs, it’s always a good idea to be prepared when it comes to minor seasickness. There are plenty of relief options out there, but these homeopathic bands are great for helping prevent motion sickness before it happens.


Bonine tablets, ideal for cruisers, prevent seasickness with a non-drowsy, daily formula. They're taken on sea days or in rough seas to combat nausea and dizziness, ensuring an enjoyable experience. Compact and convenient, Bonine ensures motion sickness doesn't disrupt your cruise.


Did you know that the walls of all cruise ship staterooms are magnetic? To reduce desk clutter and keep us organized, we use these magnetic hooks to hang hats, sunglasses, backpacks, and sweatshirts. These are great especially if you’re sharing a stateroom with multiple people and kids!


The last thing any cruiser wants is to lose their bag. These clear luggage tag holders keep your cruise information easy to read and eliminates the possibility of a paper tag being ripped off. Your bags will arrive at your stateroom every time!


When traveling, we take hundreds (maybe thousands) and photos and videos. When we’re out exploring in port, we always have our phones charged thanks to this USB power bank. Stay on the go without worrying about needing to charge your phone, tablet, or camera.


The combination lock backpack is essential for securely keeping belongings like phones, wallets, or camera equipment at the beach without renting a locker. It ensures your items are safe, accessible, and protected with its waterproof and sand-proof design, ideal for a hassle-free beach day.


This wrinkle release spray is a cruise-friendly alternative to irons and steamers, which are not allowed on ships. Just spray it on your clothes, hang them in the bathroom with the shower running, and wrinkles vanish, keeping your clothes looking freshly packed.


Chub Rub effectively prevents thigh chafing for individuals wearing bathing suits, shorts, skirts, or dresses, ensuring day-to-night comfort. Its formulation provides immediate relief and sustains protection during various activities, establishing it as an essential component of toiletry collections.


Towel Bands will fit standard sized beach chairs and will take some force to stretch. These bands save room in your suitcase and fit most cruise line chairs. They may not fit chairs with cushions!


This 100-page travel planner simplifies planning, budgeting, and tracking for any trip, including honeymoons and family vacations. Its customizable pages help manage spending, find restaurants, and ensure a memorable, stress-free journey. Ideal for a fun, safe, and well-organized vacation experience.


Looking for More?

Check out our Amazon Storefront here for more tried and true cruise essentials!

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Freestyle Travelers

Freestyle Travelers is the ultimate resource for cruisers seeking to explore the seas. As the leader in all things related to cruising, our travel blog provides expert guidance and valuable information to enhance the cruising experience. We have earned our position as the top search result for cruising by providing unparalleled resources, insights, and inspiration to our over 1 million readers every year. With 23 sailings, 87 ports of call, 128 days at sea, and voyages across 6 different cruise lines, we have firsthand knowledge and experience to share with fellow cruisers.

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